Hurricane Sandy devastates homes in Brick bayside communityWhile the shore front took the brunt of Hurricane Sandy's damage, homes along the bay were not spared. In Brick's Metedeconk community along the Barnegat Bay, decks washed away, siding and walls were stripped from homes and trash littered the street. Many residents were entering their homes and assessing the damage for the first time on Wednesday. (Video by Michael Monday/The Star-Ledger)

BRICK — Inspectors are fanning out this morning in the low-lying areas of the township to assess the level of damage to homes.

Homes that are deemed unsafe will be given an "order to vacate" sticker on the front door.

Residents will be permitted inside those homes to retrieve belongings but they cannot remain, said police Sgt. Keith Reinhard. Homes that have severe structural damage will be given a "do not enter" sticker and caution tape will block the door, he said. Residents of
these houses are not permitted inside at all, he said.

Inspectors started this morning on the mainland and will be working their way through the Cherry Quay, Baywood and Shore Acres sections.

Reinhard said inspectors are being accompanied by township public works employees and will display identification.

He said it will be at least a week before inspectors get to the barrier island so residents are still prohibited from going to their homes there.

The Brick Township EMS Unit has set up an oxygen refilling station for township residents. This filling station is located at the Brick Township Volunteer EMS building at 500 Aurora Dr. in Brick..

This filling station is only for the filling of one D-sized bottle per resident. It will be open today from noon to 5 p.m. Future dates will be announced depending upon available resources.